CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Soft Robotics Inc., an early stage robotics company, today announced that it has appointed Mark J. Chiappetta as its Chief Technology Officer.

Mr. Chiappetta is a high energy technology leader with over 20 years of experience in high growth, start-up and mid-size companies. He is an established inventor with over 30 issued and numerous additional pending patents in the field of robotics and automation, and remains proficient in the design, development, and manufacture of revolutionary products utilizing the latest in robotics technologies.

"Soft Robotics is addressing one of the most important needs in robotics technology, the ability to bring adaptability to robotic manipulation. This is a challenge not only to existing users of automation, but the novel soft robotics technology opens new markets to robotic solutions. A technology that allows robots to interact safely and reliably with everything from fresh cut produce, fresh baked foods, consumer goods, and automobile parts is what the market has been seeking for a long time. Soft Robotics is addressing that need and expanding what is possible with robots," said Mr. Chiappetta.

Before joining Soft Robotics, Inc., Mr. Chiappetta spent 2.5 years at BIONX Medical Technologies as Senior Vice President of R&D where he oversaw the development of the BiOM robotic ankle-foot prosthetic and 15 years at iRobot Corporation in a variety of technical and leadership roles with his last being Vice President of iRobot's Advanced Systems and Technology group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Chiappetta worked for Joseph F. Engelberger who is known world-wide as the "Father of Robotics."

"We are excited to have Mark take on this leadership role at Soft Robotics as we grow the company, build out the team and continue to develop and market innovative, disruptive solutions for the robotics and automation industries. Mark has a unique background that spans early stage innovation, product development and launch, and product sustainment in the robotics industry," said Carl Vause, CEO of Soft Robotics.

Founded in 2013 out of the Whitesides Research Group at Harvard University, Soft Robotics is enabling a new level of robotic adaptability with its novel and proprietary technology. A single end-of-arm tool can now handle an unprecedented range of objects without the need for tool changes or software modifications between cycles. Soft Robotics has demonstrated the ability to grasp fresh produce, electronic components, consumer goods, and clothing, among other objects, all with a single device. This disruptive capability addresses unmet needs in existing markets and unlocks new markets for cost-effective automated solutions.

About Soft Robotics

Soft Robotics Inc. is commercializing a new class of robotic end-of-arm tool that can delicately and adaptively manipulate items of varying size, shape and weight. By leveraging the science of soft robotic actuators, the company is automating facilities that have traditionally depended on manual labor for material handling applications in the fresh-cut produce and consumer packaged goods industries. For more information, visit www.softroboticsinc.com or email information@softroboticsinc.com.